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Capital Area College Access Network announces merger with Eaton County

Posted: 3:28 PM, Sep 26, 2018

Updated:2018-09-26 15:41:08-04

By:
WSYM

Ingham and Eaton county students now have a shared ally to help them navigate the steps towards postsecondary education. The Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Eaton County will join the regional network to promote college readiness, participation and completion.

Ingham and Eaton county students now have a shared ally to help them navigate the steps towards postsecondary education. The Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Eaton County will join the regional network to promote college readiness, participation and completion. This school year, six Eaton area high schools will receive support to expand college access services including college advising, college application support, and FAFSA completion.

Over the past two years, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) led a community conversation to determine what needs its students, parents, staff and partners have to increase postsecondary attainment. “After talking with key business and nonprofit stakeholders, it made the most sense for us to combine forces and resources with CapCAN to maximize our capacity”, stated Cindy Anderson, Superintendent. “We are excited to offer this support to our schools particularly as we collaborate with our business partners to link our young people to the regional talent pipeline.”

CapCAN welcomed five new members of the Eaton community on its board of directors in May, and will maintain an Eaton action team that will annually review the college enrollment and completion outcomes to determine priorities for local partnership. CapCAN will support existing college advisers in Maple Valley, Eaton Rapids, and Relevant Academy to assist students in developing and carrying out their postsecondary plans. “We are happy to welcome Ashley Justice to our team to serve as School Liaison and Program Manager serving the Eaton community,” said Cindy Anderson, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) superintendent. “Ms. Justice will work with counselors and principals to develop postsecondary action plans at each high school and conduct workshops and FAFSA assistance for parents and students.”

CapCAN has grown over the past four years leading K-12, higher education, business, philanthropy, government and nonprofit stakeholders through a process to scale up across Ingham and now Eaton counties. “The jobs of tomorrow will require that every adult achieve a postsecondary degree or credential that will prepare them to compete in a global economy”, remarked Michele Strasz, executive director. “We are dedicated to ensuring that all students- particularly low income, first generation and students of color- all have that opportunity!”

CapCAN is a community collaborative focused on making completion of postsecondary education an achievable reality for all residents in the capital area by fostering high educational aspirations through the alignment of institutions and resources.